Real People, Real Achievements, No Slush.

Creative Writing

Meg is registered blind with no vision and she has a BA in Creative Writing

The employment/study you proved possible…:

BA Hons Creative Writing

Your disability in your own words…:

I’m registered blind and have no vision.

What did you need to do in order to make this employment/study possible alongside your disability? What obstacles did you have to negotiate and how?:
When studying for a degree, it’s important to be as proactive as possible. You have to be well organised and plan things as far in advance as you can. Ideally, getting your reading list a year in advance is a big help. I originally came to university to study a Joint Honours Psychology degree but had to drop the Psychology part of the course because the institution could not make it accessible to me. I often received support from people who had little knowledge of visual impairment. When I became a guide dog owner, the university originally told me that I would not be able to attend lectures with my dog and would have private tutorials instead of going to the lectures. From these experiences, I learnt that it’s important to build up a network of who you can ask for help and when, even if this means relying on people outside of the institution. You learn for yourself when to make a fuss about something and when to take a step back and move on. Reaching your graduation day is the best feeling because you can look back and realise how much you’ve achieved.

What advice would you give to someone just starting this journey?:
Consider a favourite quote of mine:

‘If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am for myself only, what am I? If not now, when?’